International documentary film festival lands this month

Margaret Mead's research into primitive and contemporary societies brought her acclaim as a pioneering anthropologist and brilliant intellectual. A scientist, explorer, writer and teacher, Mead brought the serious work of anthropology into the public consciousness.

NAU anthropology students are honoring her legacy by hosting this month's Margaret Mead Traveling Film and Video Festival, where film-goers can watch free cultural documentaries from around the world. Free screenings of the films are scheduled for April 13-14 and April 20-21 at Cline Library Assembly Hall.

Grant Gikling, an NAU anthropology student organizing the festival, said the films take on some pressing issues, such as immigration, globalization, women's rights, geopolitical tension and the evolution debate.

A schedule of films is below, and information about the festival is available online.

April 13
El Inmigrante 6-7:30 p.m. The shooting death of one Mexican migrant worker provides a jumping-off point for this film, which explores all sides of the Mexican-American border issue.
April 14
Flock of Dodos and A Map with Gaps 6-8 p.m. Rather than picking sides, Dodos explores the different ways that people on either side of the evolution debate present their arguments.
A Map with Gaps depicts a journey the director's father takes across Russia in the early '70s.
April 20
Shooting Under Fire and China Blue 6-9 p.m. Shooting Under Fire centers on the photographers who risk their lives to capture photos of both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
China Blue is a look at globalization in which young women working in a blue jeans factory in southern China try to meet the impossible demands of their job.
April 21
Sisters in Law 6-7:30 p.m. The theme of "a few strong women" in non-traditional roles is portrayed in this film, which tells the story of judges and lawyers in Cameroon who work to protect women and children from domestic abuse.